Prominent artist tops New Year honours (+ list)

Ralph Hotere has been awarded the country's highest honour and is now a Member of the Order of New Zealand. Photo / Ross Coombes

One of the country's most important artists, Ralph Hotere has topped the list of New Year Honours for his services to New Zealand.

The painter, sculptor and collaborative artist has been awarded the country's highest honour and made a Member of the Order of New Zealand.

The honour is limited to 20 living people at any time.

Hotere is well-known for his work spanning several decades, including his 1981 Black Union Jack works, which questioned the Springbok tour and the Black Rainbow, questioning the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior.

He has received several awards for his contributions to art including the University of Otago Honorary Doctorate in 1994 and Te Waka Toi Te Taumata Award in 2006 recognising outstanding leadership and service to Maori arts and culture.

He is one of 171 people to be recognised in the New Year 2012 New Zealand Royal Honours.

In order of precedence:

THE ORDER OF NEW ZEALAND (ONZ)

The country's highest honour.

Hone (Ralph) Hotere, for services to New Zealand.

THE NZ ORDER OF MERIT (DNZM and KNZM)

Knights or Dames Companion

For pre-eminent contribution in any field achieving at a national or international level, recognised by peers and demonstrating sustained commitment.

Rosanne Meo OBE, for services to business.

Dame Rosanne is chairwoman of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Trust Board, a trustee of the South Auckland Health Foundation, the Liggins Institute and the Kelliher Charitable Trust and is also renowned for bringing her business leadership experience into non-profit organisations.

Suzanne Moncrieff ONZM, for services to the arts.

The Nelson sculptor is founder of internationally renowned World of Wearable Art (WOW).

Father Desmond Britten, for services to the community.

As Wellington city missioner for 18 years he provided services for those at risk or struggling in the Wellington region.

Colin Giltrap, for services to motorsport and philanthropy.

Sir Colin established motor industry company Giltrap Group Holdings, is the owner of the NZ franchise of the A1 Grand Prix World Cup of Motorsport, successfully secured rounds of the A1 series in New Zealand and worked to keep the V8 Supercar series in the country.

He has also supported and mentored several young drivers and contributed to charities and sporting events.

Graham Henry, for services to rugby.

Sir Graham coached the All Blacks to Rugby World Cup victory, and was named 2011 Coach of the Year by the International Rugby Board.

He has been coach of the All Blacks since 2003, coaching more than 100 test matches and has an "unprecedented" 86 per cent success rate as coach.

John Todd CNZM, for services to business.

Sir John is the former chairman of one of New Zealand's largest companies the Todd Corporation, and is chair of the Todd Foundation. Following the Christchurch earthquakes he established the Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund.

Companions (CNZM)

For a prominent national or international role, leading role in regional affairs or distinguished contribution to an area of activity.

Robyn Bargh, for services to Maori language and publishing.

Ms Bargh has been managing director of Huia Publishers since 1991, and through her involvement in publishing has sought to revitalise the Maori language.

Professor Margaret Brimble MNZM, for services to science.

She is head of the Brimble Group, a team of researchers at the University of Auckland, has served on a number of boards and in partnership with the US army developed a drug for the treatment of brain injury.

Malcolm Farry, for services to the community.

He is chair of the Carisbrook Stadium Charitable Trust and is the "driving force" behind the development of the country's first grass-based events centre Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Diane Foreman, for services to business.

Mrs Foreman was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009 and represented New Zealand at the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo last year.

Dr Osmond Hadden, for services to ophthalmology.

He is a leading figure in ophthalmology, anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye in New Zealand and Australia and has been active in his field for more than 40 years.

Dr Hadden's achievements include introducing vitreous surgery to New Zealand, which is a technique for surgical repair of retinal detachment.

Professor Peter Hughes, for services to the State.

He has been chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development for nine years and before that was chief executive of the health Funding Authority and the Department of Internal Affairs.

Mr Richard Izard OBE, for services to business and the community.

He established manufacturing and export business Izard Manufacturing in Wellsford.

Dr James Milroy QSO, for services to Maori language.

He is a respected kaumatua of Tuhoe and a former Professor of Maori at the University of Waikato, who has sought to revitalise te reo and tikanga Maori.

Martin Snedden, for services to sporting administration.

He was the chief executive of the Rugby World Cup 2011, considered one of the most successful international sporting tournaments ever held in New Zealand.

Ian Taylor, for services to television and business.

He is the managing director of award-winning Dunedin television company Taylormade Media.

Dr The Honourable Peter Watson ONZM, for services to New Zealand-United States relations.

He has continued to promote New Zealand-United States relations and established the American friends of Christchurch to raise funds to support the recovery of Christchurch.

Dr Watson was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002.

The Honourable Frances Wilde QSO JP, for services to local body affairs and the community.

She has continued to make a positive contribution at a local, regional and national level since being appointed as a Companion of the Queen's Service Order in 1995.

Ms Wilde has held corporate governance roles in a number of organisations and is also active as a patron and trustee of several groups.